Approaching the King of Glory

Recently, I read Revelation 4 and 5. I encourage you to take the time to read it right now also, before reading my thoughts on it.

After reading those inspired words which were the result of John's revelation, given to him by the one and only Jesus Christ, I had no words. I mean, one one hand, the whole description and picture that comes into my head as a result of those words is awesome beyond description. JESUS is awesome beyond description.

Think about it. What would YOU do if you just had Jesus come to you and show you those things? I think that I would be at a loss for words in GENERAL, so taken aback by the glory and splendour that I just saw!
To think that John actually had to come up with HUMAN words to describe the all-powerful Creator and Sustainer of the universe... what an incredible task! To try to fit the radiance of the pure holiness and beauty of God, the only way John can put it into words is by comparing it to precious stones! How is that supposed to help us?

 Well, the point of this passage (and really the whole book of Revelation) is not to give a step-by-step "how-to-draw God and the angels" (and later on the demons, Satan, the lake of Fire, and the New Heaven and Earth), but rather, to give us the beautiful finished work of art that shows us what it will be LIKE!

But here's and interesting thought: Did it ever occur to you that when you pray, you are actually stepping into the very same throne room as is mentioned in this passage? You, the human being, are stepping into the full radiance of the Glory of God and are talking to Him. Sometimes thrusting His doors open, shaking are fist and yelling at Him.  I think that if we all REALLY understood that this Jesus mentioned in Revelation is the VERY SAME ONE that we love and serve today, we would totally reconsider our place compared to God!

Also, on a broader note: THIS IS THE GOD WE SERVE! For eternity, He WILL have milllions upon millions praising Him and worshipping Him in the purest way possible. God is so worthy! I can't wait for that day! But until that day, how will YOU live in light of this? Where is God on your priorities list? How does He influence your choices?

And finally, will your life be lived in such a way that when your life is over and you're standing in the presence of a Holy God, will you be content with the amount of your life that you gave to the only One who is worthy? In case you missed it, His name is Jesus. The King of Glory.

Jeremy T. (High School Sophomore)

What if...?

"What if it's not everything I dreamed it would be?"

This is a common thought in regard to God's plan for our lives. For some reason, many Christians have a tainted view that God did not have our best in mind when He ordained all of our days in His book before one of them even came to be (Psalm 139:16). However, we must realize that He did, and does, have our best interest in mind. Now we merely "look through a glass dimly," contrasting the circumstances of this life to God's loving character. But one day "we will be face to face," and we will know Him fully. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

We so often fail to see that although our humbling wouldn't be our decision, it's there that God's glory shines brightest. When we want happiness, God instead pushes us toward holiness. While God commands us to be content, we still wish for circumstances that would easily lend way to complacency. We want the crown, but our Father gently reminds us that the cross precedes it. We must ask God to teach us to pray His will, not ours. We must ask Him to continually correct our perspectives, and give us a proper view of our own mortal desires in light of His eternal interest. We must be digging through His Word for solid ground to replace the sandy foundation of our souls' desires.

Just Love?

Ask anyone about a characteristic of God and probably the first that will come up is “love”. God is love. Most people cling onto this concept and assume that a loving God would never punish us. He loves us too much to send us to Hell; it will all be pushed under the rug. But let’s think about His holiness. He is so holy that the angels just cry out, “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY”, over and over and over. Day and night the word “holy” flows out of their mouths and echoes in the throne room. Why? Because they are completely awestruck by His total purity. Lately, I haven’t been able to get away from this concept.

God calls us to be holy like He is holy.

“Be ye holy for I AM HOLY.” I am amazed by this command. His holiness inspires fear and awe. Does He do that to us? Or are we so caught up in making our Lord an easygoing, approachable friend that we bring Him down to our level? So often God is treated more like a buddy than our sovereign, all-powerful King. In Jeremiah it says “But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.” The earth quakes and the nations crumble under God’s wrath. That sounds pretty awe-inspiring! He holds all power, might, and control, and yet here we are: we talk to Him on our own terms, we want Him to give us what we want, and we decide how much of our life He can have some control over.
But then there’s that command, “Be ye holy for I AM HOLY.” What does that mean for us? To be holy means to be separate and pure. Are we like our Father in this way? Do we flee from sin and seek justice? Honestly, as I consider this for myself I believe that if I remember my God’s complete holiness it will inspire a right heart in me. It’s not a set of rules someone made up. It’s truly knowing the heart of our Holy Creator and desiring to please Him. It’s no longer the question “What can I get away with?” but instead, “how Holy is my God?”.

I Run to Christ When...

I Run to Christ
Chris Anderson

I run to Christ when chased by fear
And find a refuge sure.
“Believe in me,” His voice I hear;
His words and wounds secure.

I run to Christ when torn by grief
And find abundant peace.
“I too had tears,” He gently speaks;
Thus joy and sorrow meet.

_____

I run to Christ when worn by life
And find my soul refreshed.
“Come unto Me,” He calls through strife;
Fatigue gives way to rest.

I run to Christ when vexed by hell
And find a mighty arm.
“The Devil flees,” the Scriptures tell;
He roars, but cannot harm.

_____

I run to Christ when stalked by sin
And find a sure escape.
“Deliver me,” I cry to Him;
Temptation yields to grace.

I run to Christ when plagued by shame
And find my one defense.
“I bore God’s wrath,” He pleads my case—
My Advocate and Friend.

If you are interested in introducing this song to your own church, or just for use as private worship.This song can be found at Church Works Media

Thankfulness: A Choice

Last week, I returned home from a three week journey in the Philippines, where I saw God do great things as I boldly stepped out in faith to serve Him.
 
I joined a ministry called Student Movement for Christ International (SMCI) as they ran a 6-week evangelistic campaign. During this campaign (which is still in its last 2 weeks--please be praying!), a team of people from around the world joins SMCI as they go to high schools and universities, preaching the gospel in each classroom.

I learned many huge lessons as I grew closer to God during those three weeks, and some of them will be shared here on this blog in the near future. In the mean time, here are a few thoughts to ponder.


Upon returning home, I realized and learned many things as I looked out at my home life and the life of my friends with my fresh, drastically different perspective . One of the first things I noticed was that I had not heard anyone complain for the past three weeks.  
Our team involved people from 6 countries, who got together in an impoverished land to serve God from dawn to dark in less-than-luxurious conditions, with cultural barriers, communication barriers, sickness, exhaustion, and unmet expectations along the way. In this circumstance, it simply cannot be expected, humanly speaking, that no one would complain.

But they didn't. They kept their eyes stayed upon the Lord, asked for and expected Him to work in a marvelous way, and kept serving Him with patience.

Rodeo Clown - Immovable Object vs Unstoppable Force

Note: I looked online for pictures related to immovable object and unstoppable force. The first notable picture was of Lebron James. But if you saw the NBA finals, you know he is neither. Other pictures included: a rubber band ball (what?), Mickey Mouse (why?), The Joker and Batman (I sort of get that one), Donald Trump (must be the hair), and (my favorite one) Chuck Norris.

Maybe the following will make it all clear . . . clear as mud . . . mud that's not mud.

When I was about 12 years old our family attended the Arcadia Rodeo. There was something about a rodeo that was so exciting. It was man vs beast. It was loud, fast, funny, and fun. The sights, sounds, and smells, yes, even the smells, were so different than what us city kids were used to experiencing.

There were two things that made this particular trip memorable. First, Tommy Butts (a good friend and co-worker of my father’s) was entered in the calf-roping event. Yes, I said Butts. You just can’t make up this stuff. My father and I had gone on a couple of hunting trips (hog and raccoon) with Tommy. So, I was very excited to see him in the event. Secondly, I entered the kids calf-catching contest. It would be comparable to the halftime show at a ballgame. Though I don’t remember Tommy's part of the evening, my part was most unforgettable to me, to my family, and to anyone else who paid attention that evening. I only wish I had a picture.

Now when I say, I entered the calf-catching contest, that doesn’t mean that I was privy to that knowledge before I arrived at the rodeo. Let’s just say that it was a responsibility that was thrust upon me. Just before the event Tommy took me out of the stands to inform me of my upcoming entry and to show me how to use his rope (lariat, riata, or reata). I could have refused the prodding from my family, but how could I refuse the invitation from a real cowboy - and such a cool one at that? Well, I couldn’t.

I remember how wonderful the rope felt in my hands. It was nothing like I thought it would be. It was stiff and rough to the touch. Tommy stood still and had me try to rope him. He taught me how to roll my wrist and let the rope fly. I hit him in the chest and the face before I successfully snagged him. That was the end of training. I was off to the big show.

Soon I was standing in a line with dozens of other kids at one end of the arena. I wasn’t dressed with a cowboy hat or boots like many of the other kids, but I had a cool rope, so I was good. The announcer told us that the calves would be released at the other end of the arena and that the first person to get past the judges with a calf would win the contest.

More recent photo of a similar event

I kept looking and looking for those judges down by the gate where the calves would be released, but I didn’t see them. All I could think was that I must have to take the calf back the way it came. It didn’t make any sense that I could rope a calf and just keep running the same way it was already going. That would be too easy. I was sooooo wrong. The judges were standing at either end of our line, not at the other end of the arena (see crude, child-like drawing below).

“On your mark. Get set. Go!” I immediately had my eye on a calf in the distance. I was running, swinging, and scheming. I hadn't run very far when a calf that was moving toward me ran right beside me. I instantly drop the rope over the calf’s head. I was by far the first one to rope a calf. If I had just turned and run with the calf, I would have won within a minute or two of the start the contest.

But alas, I thought the calf had to go the opposite direction, so I had to turn that calf around. It was man vs beast, but the beast knew more than the man. I became the immovable object. The calf, of course, was the unstoppable force.

I could see the slack quickly going out of the rope, so I dug in and leaned back. When the calf hit the end, the rope said, “Twanggggggg,” But the calf didn’t stop, and I didn’t lose my spot. It simply turned right and kept running – kept running in circles around me. It wasn’t exactly my plan, but I still wasn’t losing, and it still wasn’t winning. That quickly changed when three other calves crossed the rope and knocked us both down. A problem? Yes, the calf got up first.

That calf dragged me all over the mud that wasn’t mud. But I wouldn’t let go of the rope. I was stepped on, bloodied, dirtied, smelled up, laughed at, embarrassed, and exhausted; but I didn’t let go of the rope. I was thrown against a fence. I grabbed it, stood up, and steadied myself, but I didn’t let go of the rope. Finally, when it was all over, one of the officials came over and released the calf. He looked at me with a pitiful look and pointed to the exit. Maybe he thought I couldn’t find my way out either. But I was still holding that rope.

I think we left for home soon after I got back into the stands. I didn’t look or smell very good. We drove the two hours back to Tampa with the windows down, and I don’t think my mom said a word to my dad all the way home.

Later I was told that while I clutched the fence and rope, Tommy, my Dad, and others were outside the double fence yelling at me to let go, but I didn’t hear them. So, I held on. Perhaps some thought I was stupid or stubborn. Maybe others thought of me as determined to win. Some really thought I was a rodeo clown. But none was true. As I left the arena someone asked why I didn’t let it go. I simply said, “It wasn’t mine.”

Just as the rope wasn't mine, neither is my life my own; It was bought with a price (the blood of Christ). When the Christian life gets difficult, and I get discouraged and worn out. When I’m tired, broken, bloodied, and beaten (and have any thought of quitting), I remember that rope and hang on. I hang on to my trust in God

God's plan is never thwarted. He is never taken by surprise. He is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent. I don't hang on for me or in my strength. I hang on with His strength because He is sovereign (in control). So, I hang on. You do the same. MM

Submit yourselves therefore to God. 

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. 

James 4:7-8a

Finishing Strong: Going the Distance for Your Family
The Calvary Road By Roy Hession
Changed Into His Image 

"The anvil wears the hammer out, you know."

This week, I began my work in an online class called Old Testament Survey, and I have already been challenged to think through a lot of the fundamental beliefs of Biblical Christianity. Last night, I was pushed to think through the depth of the foundation that Genesis builds for the rest of the Bible, and today I read an article by Lehman Strauss, entitled "We Can Trust the Bible," which defends the inspiration and inerrancy of the Word of God. At the end of the article, under the section entitled, "The Wiles of Satan," Strauss writes that despite the methods of Satan and man to destroy God's Word. . . .

". . .The Bible stands, this impregnable Rock of Holy Scripture. Men fling themselves against it in all their fury, but instead of them breaking the Book, the Book crushes them. Bibles have been burned and torn to pieces, but God's Holy Word remains triumphant. In our world of darkness and despair the Bible shines forth as the scintillating light to lead men aright. The Bible is the only light for man's pathway (Psalm 119:105); the one Light shining in a dark place (II Peter 1:19). The Bible is the greatest luminary on the earth to bring men to God. It is the one beacon of hope in the night of men's sin. However dark the shadows of sin and sorrow might become, the Light will al­ways be there for those who will follow. . . .

"Last eve I paused beside the blacksmith's door
And heard the anvil ring the vesper chimes;
Then looking in, I saw upon the floor
Old hammers worn with beating years of time.
'How many anvils have you had,' said I,
'To wear and batter all these hammers so?'

Just What I Need: When I need it!

Have you ever had a circumstance in your life when you thought, "How is this thing good for me? How is this process profitable? Why is this person in my life? Why am I not getting that right now? Why am I getting this right now? How will I get through this?"?

I think if we are honest with ourselves, we would probably all say that we have thought nearly all of those questions, during various circumstances in our lives.

However, as a Christian, I have a just, gracious, merciful God who gives me just what (and when, where, who, and how) I need! Because of who my God is, I can trust that He has my best interest in mind, and will cause things to happen according to His sovereign will (Philippians 1:6)

In His justice, He gives me what I deserve.
In His mercy, He doesn't give me what I deserve.
In His grace, He gives me what I don't deserve.

He puts things and people in my life in just the right way, in just the right place, and at just the right time. Although I cannot always see what is best for myself, I have a Savior who knows my inmost thoughts and needs (Psalm 139).

Who
God knows the people I must have relationships with in order to become more like His Son-- whether they be sweet and kind, or consistently testing my patience. 


What
He knows the things I need (and don't need!) in order to become more like His Son-- whether a thing will bless and provide for me, or will simply become a snare and a stumbling block to my feet. 


When
He knows the exact moment I need to encounter things in life in order to become more like His Son-- whether my persistence for "Today, Lord!"  is good, or a time of stillness and waiting would teach me.


Where
He knows the perfect location I need to be in order to become more like His Son-- whether it be the thrust of a raging storm on the sea, or the soothing of a gentle breeze in the desert. 


How
He knows the process I must go through in order to become more like His Son--whether it be a trying and difficult one, or a pleasantly simple one.

I recently had an overwhelming need, and I had figured out the "perfect" way to fulfill it. However, God had a totally different plan of how He would provide for me! I had prayerfully stepped out in faith, acknowledging that I would do my best according to His revealed will, but that I was ultimately trusting Him to provide the way. And surely, He worked! Provision came in way I never expected, from the people I had least anticipated, and at a much later time that I had hoped!